Notes: Late report for the fellas today and the lineup was just posted. The Yankees claimed yesterday that Posada bruised his hand, which could be why he’s out. That he can’t throw could also be a reason. … The Yankees have won 7 of 10 overall and six straight at the Stadium. … Cano is 6 of 10 since the break with three runs scored, three RBI and threee extra-base hits. … This is interesting: The starters have a 3.86 ERA since Joba Chamberlain joined the rotation. It was 4.88 before. … The starters are 4-2 with a 2.64 ERA over the last 10 games. … The Yankees have struck out 30 over 21 innings in the first two games of the series.

A NO-NO FOR EDWAR: Edwar Ramirez has thrown nine consecutive hitless innings, walking two and striking out 14. He has allowed one hit in his last 11 innings while walking two and striking out 15.

A NEAR NO-NO FOR FARNSWORTH: Kyle Farnsworth’s last 9 appearances: 8 0 0 0 4 7. He has dropped his ERA from 4.24 to 3.43.

Edwar and Krazy Kyle are actually reliable. Joe Girardi and Dave Eiland should start working on gas prices next. Clearly they are brilliant men.

Sen. McCain and Rudy Giuliani are in the box next to the Yankees dugout. The Senator is wearing a light blue shirt, which would seem to be a bad choice in the heat.

UPDATE, 1:24 p.m.: That’s twice in the last three games that Bobby Meacham has gotten A-Rod thrown out at the plate. It’s one thing to be aggressive, but it’s another thing to give away outs. Meacham is getting guys thrown out by five feet.

Meacham and Mike Harkey were the two choices Girardi made for his staff. It’ll be interesting to see whether the Yankees make any changes in the offseason.

Paging Willie Randolph.

UPDATE, 1;34 p.m.: By popular demand, here are the pregame interviews of Joe Girardi:

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and Johnny Damon:

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UPDATE, 1:51 p.m.: Andy Pettitte is dealing. He has struck out five of the first 11 batters he has faced. Of his 41 pitches, 29 have been strikes. The big Texan is used to the heat and seems to be thriving.

UPDATE, 1:51 p.m.: Forgot to mention this before, but Mike Mussina took BP today before the game. He informed Kevin Long that since he had the only hit by a pitcher this season, he had earned the right to hit whenever he wanted.

With many of the guys taking a pass on BP today, they let Moose take his hacks.

UPDATE, 1:59 p.m.: Get this, Brian Cashman attended the New York premiere of The Dark Knight on Monday. Seems that a member of Assistant GM Jean Afterman’s family was involved in the making of the movie (which is great, go see it) so C-Money was in the house with all the celebs.

UPDATE, 2:25 p.m.: That’s seven in a row for Pettitte, three by strikeout. He’s at a solid 68 pitches after five innings. Duchscherer is at 70 as we start the bottom of the fifth.

UPDATE, 2:27 p.m.: Brett Gardner has to stop hitting the ball in the air as much as he does. He has not been nearly as tough an out as the Yankees thought he would be.

UPDATE, 2:43 p.m.: Nice AB by Sweeney who came back from 0-2 and hit Pettitte’s cutter for an RBI single to center. The Yankees have let Duchscherer off the hook with two quick innings. He’s at 79 pitches after 5.

UPDATE, 2:46 p.m.: The ‘stache delivers the short way, just inside the foul pole in right field and just above the wall. 2-1 Yankees. That’s 20 homers for Giambi.

Nine outs to get for the pinstripes. Pettitte 3, Farnsworth 3 and Mo 3? Not blowing out Mo yesterday was a smart move by Girardi.

UPDATE, 3:07 p.m.: But no, Pettitte is going back out for more. Girardi got burned by this once before in that wild game against KC on June 7, we’ll see what happens.

UPDATE, 3:1x p.m.: That’s how you Kyle-proof a game, you retire the side in order in the eighth inning. That was a dominant start for Pettitte. 8 innings, 4 hits, 1 run, 0 walks and 9 punchouts. 114 pitches by my count.

UPDATE, 3:26 p.m.: Hmm, Richie Sexson as a defensive replacement at first base. I guess he is the best option. Betemit is an adventure there.

UPDATE, 3:34 p.m.: And there you have it, a 2-1 win after a little drama. That’s a three-game sweep, eight wins in the last 11 games and a 53-45 record for the Yankees. They are eight games over .500 for the first time this season. Has the train started to roll?